Mount Randy Morgenson

Mount Randy Morgenson is a 13,927-foot-elevation (4,245-meter) mountain summit located along the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Tulare County, California. It is situated in Sequoia National Park, one mile north-northwest of Mount Whitney, 0.85 mile east of Mount Hale, and one-half mile west of Mount Russell, the nearest higher neighbor. The John Muir Trail traverses to the south of the mountain, providing an approach option. Mt. Morgenson ranks as the 20th-highest summit in California.[2] Topographic relief is significant as the northwest aspect rises 2,200 feet (670 meters) above Wales Lake in less than one mile.

Mount Randy Morgenson
Mount Morgenson
As seen from Mount Russell
Highest point
Elevation13,927 ft (4,245 m)[1]
Prominence279 ft (85 m)[1]
Parent peakMount Russell (14,088 ft)[1]
Isolation0.51 mi (0.82 km)[1]
Coordinates36°35′30″N 118°17′59″W[1]
Naming
EtymologyRandy Morgenson (park ranger)
Geography
Mount Randy Morgenson is located in California
Mount Randy Morgenson
Mount Randy Morgenson
Mount Randy Morgenson is located in the United States
Mount Randy Morgenson
Mount Randy Morgenson
LocationSequoia National Park
Tulare County California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Mount Whitney
Geology
Age of rockCretaceous
Mountain typeFault block
Type of rockgranite
Climbing
First ascent1926 Norman Clyde
Easiest routeclass 2[2]

History

This mountain's name honors esteemed park ranger James Randall "Randy" Morgenson (1945–1996), who vanished in July 1996 while on patrol in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.[3] Despite one of the most intense search-and-rescue operations in National Park Service history, his body wasn't found until five years later.[4] This peak's unofficial name has not been adopted by the U. S. Board on Geographic Names and so it does not appear on USGS maps. Instead, Mount Randy Morgenson is labeled "Peak 4245 m (13,920+ ft)" on USGS maps.[4]

The first ascent of the summit was made June 27, 1926, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.[5]

Climate

Mount Randy Morgenson is located in an alpine climate zone.[6] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains west to the Kern River via Wallace and Whitney Creeks.

  • Mts. Morgenson (left), Williamson (top), and Russell (right) seen from Mount Whitney's summit.
    Mts. Morgenson (left), Williamson (top), and Russell (right) seen from Mount Whitney's summit.
  • Mt. Morgenson left, Mt. Russell right, Mt. Williamson in the background.
    Mt. Morgenson left, Mt. Russell right, Mt. Williamson in the background.
  • Morgenson (left), Whitney/Hale (center). From the northwest.
    Morgenson (left), Whitney/Hale (center). From the northwest.
  • As seen from Mt. Russell
    As seen from Mt. Russell

See also

References
  1. "Mount Morgenson, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  2. "Mount Randy Morgenson - 13,927' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  3. Markof, John. "Wild and Craggy, Just Like Thoreau". New York Times. New York. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  4. Blehm, Eric (July 10, 2019). "Ranger Randy Morgenson's Epitaph in the Sky". Backpacker. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  5. Mendenhall, John D. and Ruth; Johnson, Arthur B.; Gigas, Braeme; Koster, Howard (1954). A Climber’s Guide to the High Sierra.
  6. "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica.
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